Thai or Farang When Buying New Car?

[Big Boy]

Sometime soon after my arrival in Thailand in April I will be purchasing a new car. Financially or legally, is there any benefit in my wife buying it as opposed to me? It will be a cash purchase - is a Thai likely to get any perks that I might not?

[dtaai-maai]

I'm really not sure, BB, but I'd put it the other way round: there is no benefit in you buying it as opposed to your wife, and you are unlikely to get any perks that a Thai person might.

[Takiap]

Hi BB


My wife (Thai) recently purchased a new car, and a close friend of mine also bought one about a week later from a different dealership - both got exactly the same perks/freebies. So, whether you buy it, or whether your wife buys it really makes no difference at all, and if anything, I'd say you'd get the better deal since you're a guy. Salesmen all over the, including Thailand, still tend to see women as being easy targets for an extra buck.

Of course you need to haggle and push a bit, but the dealerships have set limits, and salesmen simply cannot offer anything more than they're permitted to.


I see your big day is getting closer now................bet you can't wait.

[Terry]

Hi BB

Mrs. T tells me that if your Thai Wife has NOT bought a new vehicle before, then she may be entitled to benefit from a Thai Government scheme of a THB50,000 discount for first time buyers.

Not sure if this is still so and to what type of car - worth checking anyway

[Winkie]

Thai people currently can get a rebate of upto THB100,000 for the first car registered to a property.

However, it has to be made in Thailand, not exceeding 1.5 Litres, and you pay up front, and get the money back in 1 year.

Other than that, I think prices for Thai or Farang are completely identical, even down to the freebies.

[moja]

It is easier for a car to be registered to a Thai we Farangs have to visit immigration and get a letter of residency before we can change from red to white plates.

[Winkie]

For me, I did not need to do that

[Takiap]

There's no difference at all whether Thai or Farang, except with the rebate scheme, if it's still going.

[Big Boy]

Thanks for all of the responses. I like the sound of the rebate scheme, although the 'not exceeding 1.5 Litre' bit could be a bit restrictive What would I wear on the other foot?

Does anybody know where I can find out more about the rebate scheme?

[Big Boy]

Thinking more about the rebate scheme, does that mean the first car registered to a property ever, or the first car since the scheme started?

[PeteC]

My understanding is that it's geared towards first time car buyers BB. To avoid abuse I guess their best way of knowing if first is to match records with a property address. I assume their computer systems are set up in that way. I don't think we're going to find detailed guidelines in English unless the BKP or Nation translate and print them. I'll keep an eye out though. Pete

[STEVE G]

Here you are, from the Thai Government Public Relations Department site:

"According to the scheme, car buyers eligible for tax refunds must be at least 21 years old. They must hold ownership of the cars for at least five years. Their vehicles must not be worth more than one million baht, with engine capacity not exceeding 1,500 cc. The cars must also be manufactured in Thailand, excluding those produced with imported used parts. The refund will be made from 1 October 2013 onwards.

The Ministry of Finance reported that the car buyers would be refunded the actual amount of tax they have paid but the ceiling of the refund is set at 100,000 baht per unit. Another requirement is that the cars must be purchased from 16 September 2011 to 31 December 2012. Under the previous plan, the period was set for 1 October 2011 to 31 December 2012."
http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_inside.php?id=5859

[Big Boy]

Thanks Steve, but the small engine size probably rules us out.

[TingTongJohn]

I let my wife and here brother do it as she said he has connections..Also the Thai helped in talks as did being able to read the paperwork/contract..

[Chalky]

I contacted Honda's Customer Relationship department and sadly apart from the car being new, 1500cc or below, under 1mbht and first time buyer .... you have to be Thai National to get the benefit.

I understand you also can't sell the car for 5 years after buying it.